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Combat

Combat or fighting is a purposeful violent conflict meant to weaken, or establish dominance over the opposition, or to kill the opposition, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed.
The term combat typically refers to armed conflict between military forces in warfare, whereas the more general term "fighting" can refer to any violent conflict between individuals or nations. Combat violence can be unilateral, whereas fighting implies at least a defensive reaction. However, the terms are often used synonymously along with the term "Battle Ready". A large-scale fight is known as a battle.
Combat may take place under a specific set of rules or be unregulated. Examples of rules include the Geneva Conventions, medieval Chivalry, the Marquess of Queensberry rules and several forms of combat sports.
Combat in war fare involves two or more opposing military organizations, usually fighting for nations at war. Warfare falls under the laws of war, which govern its purposes and conduct, and protect the rights of soldiers and non-combatants.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Combat

kom′bat, or kum′bat, v.i. to contend or struggle.—v.t. to beat against: to contest: to oppose: to debate.—n. a struggle: a fight.—adjs.Com′batable, capable of being combated; Com′batant, disposed to combat.—n. one who combats; Com′bative, inclined to quarrel.—n.Com′bativeness.—Combatant officer, one who takes part in the action, as opposed to the medical officers, &c., who are Non-combatant. [Fr. combattre, to fight—com, with, and battre, to beat. See Beat.]